Fractional type.



J. ALDEN.

FRACTIONAL TYPE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 16. 1915.

Patented Apia l, 1916.

' font.

Joni: ALDEN, on BOISE, nane.

snacrionai. TYP'EY Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 4, 1916.

' Application filed Noveinber 16,1915. Serial No. 61,820.

sizes of metal or wooden type and the value of the principle involved is incident to the fact that it is practically impossible to secure a full set of fractions, as, when a fraction is needed under the present practice it is necessary for the printer to make one and this when done is not satisfactory in view of the fact that it a makeshift. By using the device hereinafter described, any fraction may be easily and quickly made and and in the style of type being used and in as perfect form as a cast one.

The fraction type is a cast device with a bias line on the face thereof, in other words the bias line in the face of the type and the figures to make the fraction .are placed in proper position at the opposite sides of the said line in what forms mortised places when. set in a line of type. The fraction type may also be used to advantage in composing percentage marks or characters and by using the device the printer is relieved of the necessity of buying fractions with each With the present device any fraction can be made by using the figure of the type about two thirds the size of the type being used.

With the above objects in view the device comprises a body having a line disposed across its face and diagonaliy disposed and disposed upon a bias. Mort-ises are provided at the opposite sides of the said line and are adapted to receive the type which when placed in the body constitute the fraction to be indicated.

In the accompanying drawings :Figure 1 is a perspective view of the fraction device. Figs. 8 and 4 are detail views.

The fraction device comprises a body 1 which is mortised out at opposite corners ponents of claimed is providing spaces 2. The body 1 is provided with a line 3 which is type high and diagonally disposed with, relation to the body and which lies between the spaces 2. The line 3 may be curved or straight and When it is in the form of a straight line it is especially adapted to separate the component numbers of a fraction. lVhen the line 2 is curved or provided at its upper end with a stem it may be used for separating the coma percentage mark or may be used for separating and distinguishing an exponent from a primary number. In practhe same size as the the font being used tlce the body 1 is of type which constitutes and types 4 of about two-thirds the size of the type being used are inserted in the spaces :2. Therefore it will be seen that by employing the body .1 a fraction of any denomination or magnitude may be composed and set up with the body of the type matter. This avoids the necessity of having an excessive number of different fractions in each font of type and when the fractions are composed and appear in the printing they will be regular in appearance and arrangement.

From the foregoing description taken in conjunction with 'the accompanying drawing it will be seen that a device of simple form and arrangement is provided and by using which fractionsof different denominations or magnitude may be readily composed and set up in a body of type.

Having described the a body having'a type said body being morand a second type body A type comprising high printing surface. tised at'its side,

adapted to fit snugly in the mortise and hav mg a type high printing surface, said bodies when assembled having exterior plane surfaces which liein the same plane thereby forming a type of quadrilateralconfiguration and which is rectangular in transverse section. f

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

JOHN ALDEN.

.Vitnesses:

HYRUM LEROY MAncRor'r, A. EARL SCHWARTZ.

invention What is 

